By Christopher Shea | Reporter
Hiya,
Could this weekend’s nor’easter change what fall looks like in Rhode Island?
National Weather Service meteorologist Torry Dooley raised an interesting point when discussing the storm with me: High winds could break branches and strip leaves from trees prematurely, meaning fewer autumnal hues later in the season.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed we still get plenty of color.
***
High tide on Block Island on Saturday is at 7:46 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Low tide is at 2:05 p.m. Sunrise is at 6:38 a.m. Sunset is at 6:37 p.m.
Hight tide in Jamestown on Sunday is at 8:41 a.m. and 8:59 p.m. Low tide is at 1:49 a.m. and 2:25 p.m. Sunrise is at 6:38 a.m. Sunset is at 6:34 p.m.
***
Here’s your look at the week that was:
Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, left, makes a point during the taping of a televised debate with her Republican challenger John Loughlin, right, on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at WPRI 12 in East Providence. The debate airs on Fox Providence Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. (Photo by James Bartone/WPRI 12)
By Nancy Lavin
Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos is tied with her Republican challenger, John Loughlin, according to a new University of New Hampshire survey. Meanwhile, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Helena Buonanno Foulkes has a strong lead over independent Ken Block and Republican Aaron Guckian.
Gov. Dan McKee, right, addresses the media at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency's Cranston headquarters on Friday Sept. 25, 2026. At center is EMA Director Mark Pappas. Far left is interim Department of Transportation Director Robert Rocchio. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
By Christopher Shea
Strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and power outages are expected as an early-season nor’easter moves through Rhode Island this weekend. State officials and utility providers are urging the public to prepare and use caution.
North Kingstown Town Manager Ralph Mollis, shown speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Iver Mudslider troll in Ryan Park in North Kingstown in August 2025, has hit a wall with two state agencies that refused to release public records, or quoted large fees to fulfill the request. At right is then interim Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. Behind Mollis is U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current)
By Nancy Lavin
After its public records requests to two quasi-public state agencies were partially denied, North Kingstown has appealed to the Rhode Island Attorney General's office. But advocates familiar with the state's loophole-ridden Access to Public Records Act aren't surprised by the problems town officials are facing in their request for public information.
A redesigned Rhode Island Benefit Decision Notice, left, presents eligibility decisions and explanations more prominently than the previous format, right. (Photo illustration by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
By Alexander Castro
Rhode Island redesigned public benefit notices, about 60,000 of which are mailed each month, to make Medicaid and other eligibility decisions clearer.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during the Ogden Memorial Lecture on International Affairs in Brown University’s Pizzitola Sports Center on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (Photo by Nick Dentamaro/Brown University)
By Christopher Shea
The last time former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Rhode Island, he spoke to a gathering of U.S. governors to advocate for free trade amid tensions between the two North American neighbors. On Tuesday night, he returned to Providence where he said the relationship has moved beyond ordinary trade disputes to what he described as a threat to Canada’s sovereignty under the Trump administration.
Dr. Milton J. Liu treats a dental patient at Wood River Health in Hopkinton. The health center serves several of Rhode Island’s state-designated rural communities and operates a twice-monthly dental clinic on Block Island, where access to routine dental care can require off-island travel. (Photo by Seth Jacobson/Seth Jacobson Photography)
By Alexander Castro
State officials and healthcare providers are considering options for how to use $156 million in federal rural health funding to expand healthcare access in 18 municipalities across Rhode Island. Mobile and community-based care, telehealth, behavioral health and workforce programs are under consideration, but officials need to figure out how best to reach residents in places with little existing healthcare infrastructure.
ICYMI
RI’s first inspector general could come from Washington, DC, or Florida | Christopher Shea
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